CEBU CITY – A Cebuana is slowly making a name for herself in the interior design industry.

After years of global exposure, cultural immersion, and discovering beauty in different corners of the world, Marybeth Parantar-Lara is finally transforming a lifelong passion into a purposeful business venture through the THERI Curated Interiors.

Lara’s journey spans nearly two decades in the travel industry across the Philippines and Canada.

The venture started as childhood fascination with rearranging furniture and collecting discarded objects has now evolved into a refined design philosophy centered on warmth, functionality, and understated luxury.

“My dad really wanted me to become an architect,” she recalled. “But as a child, I was stubborn.”

Her mother affectionately called her “garbage girl” because of her habit of collecting empty containers and recyclable materials to turn into something creative. Even at five-years-old, Lara already found joy in reimagining ordinary objects into something beautiful and useful.

Painting became her hobby, and decorating naturally followed. During her high school years, she began experimenting with interiors in their small apartment, constantly moving furniture around to create a fresh perspective every week.

That creativity occasionally caused friction at home.

“My father hated changing the furniture layout,” she laughs. “When I’d fall asleep, he would move everything back to the original position. Then I’d wake up in the morning wondering why he changed it again, and we’d argue.”

What once seemed like playful childhood behavior would eventually reveal itself as the foundation of a future design career.

Lara’s THERI Curated Interiors, located at the Cebu Business Park, is looking to redefine the meaning of home as its vision rooted in timeless elegance, personalization, and deeply intentional design.

The company specializes in interior decorating, kitchen and bath design, renovations, main floor redesigns, and home additions. Every project is approached through collaboration, communication, and careful planning to ensure that each space genuinely reflects the personality and needs of the client.

The launch of THERI Curated Interiors arrived at a time when Cebu’s urban lifestyle continues to evolve.

As more Cebuanos embrace condominium living, compact luxury spaces, and personalized interiors, the demand for intentional and functional design has never been greater.

“Our philosophy is centered on personalization,” Lara explains. “Every detail should resonate with the people living in the space.”